About
Motown & Beyond is a Motown band for hire in Balmain, NSW.
Seven pieces, and every one of them there for a reason. Motown & Beyond play the Motown and Stax soul catalogue from the sixties and seventies, then keep going: blues, jazzy contemporary pop, RnB. Stevie Wonder, Bill Withers, Marvin Gaye, Otis Redding, Eddie Floyd, Grover Washington, The Temptations, James Brown. Then the later stuff that grew out of the same soil, from Tina Turner and Gloria Gaynor to Amy Winehouse. Expect "Superstition", "My Girl", "Knock on Wood", "Mustang Sally" and "Lean on Me", plus a few left turns like "Eagle Rock". Requests are fine. Book anything from a single set to four 45-minute sets, roughly one to three hours. Outdoor gigs need cover for the gear.
Watch
The show
Seven pieces, brass and a strong rhythm section, playing the Motown and Stax soul catalogue from the sixties and seventies with real accuracy. Then it goes further out: blues, jazzy contemporary pop, RnB. Marvin Gaye and Otis Redding. Stevie Wonder. James Brown, Eddie Floyd, Bill Withers, The Temptations, Grover Washington. Later artists who grew out of the same sound get a look in too, from Tina Turner and Gloria Gaynor through to Amy Winehouse. The Motown records were mixed to sound good on car radios in Detroit, which is why that thumping back beat still lifts a room off its chairs. Sit and enjoy dinner if you'd rather. Most people don't.
On the day
Outdoor events need the performance area under cover. Extreme heat and rain both damage instruments and stage gear, so this one isn't negotiable. Indoors, the setup area should be clear of obstructions and anything that could become a trip hazard. The band are careful about how they run cables and place gear, and a clear space makes that a lot easier for everyone walking past.
Insurance and paperwork
Public liability insured
Song list
35 songs
What’s going on Marvin Gaye
Superstition Stevie Wonder
My Girl The Temptations
Knock on wood Eddie Floyd
Lean on me Bill Withers
Wonderful world Otis Rredding
Just the two of us Grover Washington
Aint no sunshine Bill Withers
Crazy little thing called love Queen
Eagle Rock Daddy Cool
Signed sealed and delivered Stevie Wonder
Unchain my heart Joe Cocker
I shot the sherrif Eric Clapton version
Mustang Sally Wilson Pickett
Midnight Hour Wilson Pickett
Play that funky music Wild Cherry
Pretty Woman Roy Orbison
Happy together The turtles
I'm a believer The monkees
Gimme some lovin Blues Brothers
Old time rock n roll Bob Segar
Cocaine Eric Clapton
Roadhouse Blues The Doors
Let’s stick together Bryan Ferry